Section 10 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 10 creates the Central Consumer Protection Authority, usually called the CCPA. It is the regulator for violations of consumers' rights, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements affecting consumers as a class. It consists of a Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners, with headquarters in the National Capital Region of Delhi. If you think a practice harms many buyers at once, a legal consultation can help you decide whether the Authority is the right place to raise it.
The Central Government establishes the Central Authority by notification, from a date it specifies, to regulate matters relating to violation of rights of consumers, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements prejudicial to the public and consumers, and to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class (10(1)). It has a Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners as prescribed (10(2)). Its headquarters is in the National Capital Region of Delhi, with regional and other offices elsewhere in India as the Central Government decides (10(3)).
Section 10 at a glance
| Sub-section | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 10(1) | Establishment and purpose | By notification; regulates violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, false or misleading advertisements; protects consumers as a class |
| 10(2) | Composition | A Chief Commissioner and such number of other Commissioners as prescribed |
| 10(3) | Seat | Headquarters at a place in the National Capital Region; regional and other offices as decided |
Section 10(1): establishment and purpose
The sub-section says the Central Government "shall, by notification, establish with effect from such date as it may specify in that notification, a Central Consumer Protection Authority to be known as the Central Authority". The definition in section 2(4) points back here: "Central Authority" means the authority established under section 10. See our article on the section 2 definitions.
The Authority is established "to regulate matters relating to violation of rights of consumers, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements which are prejudicial to the interests of public and consumers and to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class". Break the sentence into its working parts:
- Three subjects. Violation of consumer rights; unfair trade practices; false or misleading advertisements.
- A qualifier. The matters must be prejudicial to the interests of the public and consumers.
- Three verbs for its job. To promote, protect and enforce consumers' rights.
- A class focus. The rights are those of "consumers as a class".
"As a class" is the key to understanding why the Authority exists. An individual who bought a defective phone takes the matter to a Commission. The Authority is aimed at conduct that affects consumers generally, such as a misleading advertisement seen by many people or a practice followed across a market. Later sections give it powers to inquire, investigate, order recall and refund, issue directions and impose penalties; those start with section 18 and are covered in our later articles. The site already has an overview at Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
The text does not say that the Authority decides an individual complaint for compensation. That role belongs to the Commissions under Chapter IV and later. Nor does it say that an individual cannot bring a matter to the Authority's notice; section 17 allows complaints about consumer-class matters to be forwarded to authorities, which is for another article.
Example. An online seller runs an advertisement with a claim about a health supplement that many consumers believe. Suppose the claim turns out to be false. One buyer's refund claim is a Commission matter; the false claim affecting many buyers is a "false or misleading advertisement" and falls within the Authority's subject matter.
Section 10(2): Chief Commissioner and Commissioners
"The Central Authority shall consist of a Chief Commissioner and such number of other Commissioners as may be prescribed, to be appointed by the Central Government to exercise the powers and discharge the functions under this Act."
- Appointment is by the Central Government. The Authority does not choose its own members.
- The number of other Commissioners is prescribed. "As may be prescribed" means rules fix it, so this article gives no figure.
- Qualifications, recruitment, term, pay and removal are not in section 10. Section 11 lets the Central Government make rules on them; see our article on sections 11-14.
The sub-section does not say whether the Chief Commissioner and Commissioners are full-time or part-time, how long they serve, or who may be removed and how. All of that sits in the rules under section 11.
Section 10(3): headquarters and offices
"The headquarters of the Central Authority shall be at such place in the National Capital Region of Delhi, and it shall have regional and other offices in any other place in India as the Central Government may decide."
| Point | What the text says |
|---|---|
| Where is headquarters? | At such place in the National Capital Region of Delhi |
| Who picks the exact place? | The Central Government |
| Are there other offices? | Yes, regional and other offices at any other place in India as the Central Government decides |
The Act does not name a city or address. The "regional offices" matter later, because sections 16 and 17 mention the "Commissioner of regional office" as a person to whom complaints can be forwarded. See our article on sections 16-17.
Reading section 10 with the rest of Chapter III
Section 10 is only the establishment clause. Quick map:
| Section | Subject |
|---|---|
| 11 | Rules on Chief Commissioner and Commissioners' service terms |
| 12 | Vacancies and defects do not invalidate proceedings |
| 13 | Officers, experts and professionals |
| 14 | Procedure and delegation within the Authority |
| 15 | Investigation Wing |
| 18 to 22 | Powers, inquiry, recall, advertisements, search and seizure |
The practical lesson: the Authority is a regulator with its own investigative wing and powers; it is not a tribunal for private compensation claims.
Need help with a class-wide consumer issue?
If a practice affects many consumers, or you are a business unsure whether an advertisement could attract the Authority's attention, a careful reading of the facts helps. We can assess the position and suggest the right route. Reach out through a legal consultation with the advertisement or practice in question.
Key takeaways
- The CCPA is established by Central Government notification under section 10(1).
- It regulates violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements, and protects consumers as a class.
- It has a Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners, as prescribed (10(2)).
- Headquarters is in the National Capital Region of Delhi, with regional and other offices as decided (10(3)).
- Service terms are set by rules under section 11.
Read next
- Sections 11-14: CCPA members, staff and procedure
- Section 15: Investigation Wing of the CCPA
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
- Misleading Advertisements Under CPA 2019
Disclaimer: Based on the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 as enacted, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Monetary limits, fees and procedure are set or revised by rules and regulations made under the Act and should be checked in their current form. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.